Sobolev Gradients for the M\"obius Energy

Abstract

Aiming at optimizing the shape of closed embedded curves within prescribed isotopy classes, we use a gradient-based approach to approximate stationary points of the M\"obius energy. The gradients are computed with respect to Sobolev inner products similar to the $W^{3/2,2}$-inner product. This leads to optimization methods that are significantly more efficient and robust than standard techniques based on $L^2$-gradients.